NEED TO KNOW
-
A North Carolina paramedic has died after she was hit by a car in Florida while helping a man injured in a separate crash
-
The paramedic has been identified as 27-year-old Mary Jolly of Gaston County EMS
-
Jolly joined Gaston County EMS in 2021 and received an award for her work in 2023
An off-duty paramedic has died after she was hit by a car while attempting to help a motorist who was injured in a separate crash.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 27-year-old Mary Jolly and her wife were traveling down Interstate 95 in Brevard County during the early morning hours of Saturday, Nov. 15, when they spotted a man who was injured in a crash moments prior, according to NBC affiliate WESH.
After getting out of her car to help the injured individual, Jolly was reportedly in the center lane of the highway when she was hit by a Nissan Murano.
Jolly was then transported to a Florida hospital, where she died two days later, according to CBS affiliate WBTV. The injured man’s condition is not immediately clear at this time.
The Florida Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Jolly worked for Gaston County EMS in North Carolina, which confirmed her death in a post on their Facebook page following her death.
“With profound sadness, we share that Paramedic Mary Jolly passed away today at 11:05 [a.m.] following her injuries,” the agency said. They went on to say Jolly “was more than a colleague — she was family.”
“Her compassion, unwavering dedication, and steady presence touched countless lives and strengthened the very fabric of our EMS community,” Gaston County EMS said. “Her loss is immeasurable and will be deeply felt across our organization and beyond.”
Jolly had been with Gaston County EMS since 2021 and was a member of the agency’s swift water rescue team, according to WBTV and ABC affiliate WFTV.
In 2023, she was named B-Shift Outstanding Paramedic, WBTV and NBC affiliate WCNC reported.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support during this difficult time,” Gaston County EMS said in its post on Facebook. “Please keep Mary, her loved ones, and her EMS family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this heartbreaking loss together.”
Gaston County EMS
Mary Jolly was a member of Gaston County EMS’ swift water rescue team.
On behalf of the Gaston County, Deputy County Manager Vincent Wong extended his “deepest sympathies” to Jolly’s family, as well as “every member of our public safety team” following the paramedic’s tragic death, according to WCNC.
“Mary represented the finest qualities of our EMS professionals — dedication, courage, and a commitment to caring for every person she encountered,” Wong said. “We are heartbroken by her passing.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The fatal crash remains under investigation, according to WESH.
Read the original article on People
